Magical perpetual calendar | Italy

I purchased one of these perpetual calendars off of eBay a couple of years ago (thank you, dedalo1972).  I knew nothing about it and couldn’t find anything either, that is until recently.

Called Magical, the calendar operates with a simple twist of the wrist.  Inverting the small plastic container, by rotating the top downward, advances the day.  At the end of the month there is a final tile that reads 30/31, after which comes 1.

Each side of the calendar has a circular opening 2.9cm in diameter, through which the date shows. The calendar is small, at 9.7cm tall, 5cm wide, and 2.9cm deep.

White (from etsy.com)

In white with black tiles, with box.

Two pictures of the Magical perpetual calendar in white with black tiles.

Black

Video of the Magical perpetual calendar in use.

Two pictures of the Magical perpetual calendar in black with black tiles.

    

Side and top views.

The only marking on the Magical perpetual calendar is a small “made in Italy” imprint on one side, just below the opening that reveals the date.  It is on the side that reveals odd numbered dates.

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April 22–28, 2013: Shared vintage modern plastic design

Here are the items that were shared the week of April 22, 2013.  Included were two lamps, a container, an ashtray, a salt and pepper shaker, a bottle carrier, and a novelty toothpick holder.

Monday, April 22:  Plastic mid-century globe table lamp.  The lamp measures 14” tall.

    

Tuesday, April 23: IKEA of Sweden container with a green base and yellow and orange lids.  Design by Knut Hagberg and Marianne Hagberg.  It has three compartments and measures 10-1/2” in diameter on top. It is 3-1/4” deep and is marked on the bottom.

Wednesday, April 24:  Minimal-modern black melamine square ashtray for Eldon Office Products.  Features a rounded bowl, two cigarette notches, and a felted base. Measures 5” by 5” by 1” height. Marked:

© 1975                                             U S Patent Pending
ELDON ® OFFICE PRODUCTS
Los Angeles, Calif, 90045        Made in U S A

Thursday, April 25: Transparent salt and pepper shakers made in the shape of the letters “S” and “P”.  The bottom of each slides open to allow easy filling of salt and pepper. Made in Hong Kong.  Both measure 1-3/4” across by 3-3/4” height by 3/4” deep.

Friday, April 26:  Heavy mid-century table lamp with a heavy lacquered metal base and acrylic shade.  Has a European plug.  Measures 24” in height.

    

Saturday, April 27: Vintage Pepsi-Cola bottle holder in yellow.  “Pakster 0612” is embossed on the inside. The Pepsi-Cola logo is stamped on each side in black. Measures 8” long by 5-1/2” wide by 8” height.

Sunday, April 28: Vintage plastic woodpecker toothpick holder.  This one has a white base made to look like a log.  The woodpecker has two metal points coming out of his beak and is on a spring loaded hinge.  Push his head down and he will pick up a toothpick. The piece is about 3” tall and 4-1/2” long.

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Hivo Van Teal acrylic sculpture

Here is another of Hivo Van Teal’s large abstract works.  This sculpture is 25” long by 16” deep and is 24-1/2” in height.  Sculpture for sale for $950 by ocmodern on 1stdibs.

Three views of this large sculpture by Hivo Van Teal.

The base and signature on this large sculpture by Hivo Van Teal.

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Hivo Van Teal acrylic sculpture

Some of Hivo G. Van Teal’s acrylic sculptures are absolutely spectacular.  This is such an example.  This is a large form Lucite sculpture entitled “Dynasty.”  The sculpture has a 13” wide by 11” deep base and is 22” in height.  Click for more information, a video about Hivo Van Teal, and some of his designs.

eBay item 181126540580 ends April 27, 2013 at 19:08:53 PDT (United States).  Bids open at $625 and there is a buy it now option at $750.  Expensive, but also an impressive piece.

The base and signature on the “Dynasty” sculpture by Hivo Van Teal.

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Elgin rotating tube wind-up alarm clock

Elgin has made some great clocks.  This one is a cylindrical rotating tube that measures 3-1/2” in height and 3” in diameter.  The primary color scheme is gold, brown, and black.  The base is plastic but made to look like wood and features the “ELGIN” name prominently in gold.

The remainder of the clock has a transparent housing topped with a transparent, grooved cap that has an etched spiral pattern in gold on the top.

Here is the winding and time setting mechanism.  The clock has a Japan made movement.

etsy.com item number 129177037 titled “Rotating clock, Elgin, circular rotating alarm clock, alarm, circular, bakelite, black, gold, japan movement, a vintage beauty” and offered at $140.

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St. Labre Indian School objects – napkin or letter holder, salt and pepper shakers, and small sugar bowl

The first design in this series I found was the napkin or letter holder.  Further research brought me to the salt and pepper shakers (these seem to be the most common) and the small bowls (these seem to be the least common).  I also discovered much about the history of the St. Labre Indian School and the controversy that exists between the Catholic Church, the operator of St. Labre, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

Apparently, these trinkets were gifts for donating to the school during their fundraising appeals. All are made of plastic and feature matching orange or yellow bases, green sides, and yellow accents.  They are all easily disassembled for cleaning or storage.  They are also affordably priced.  Expect to pay less than $10 for any of these items.  Most images in this post are from eBay and etsy, unless noted.

Salt and pepper shakers

The salt and pepper shakers are designed to look like a tom tom drum.  Each consists of a top and bottom in orange, a tall yellow insert, and a green sleeve.  The shakers stand 2” tall and are 1-1/4” in diameter.

The green sleeve features stylized patterns of a person with a small cloud to the upper left and teepee to the lower right and a deer with hoof prints to its lower left and upper right.  The designs are opposite each other on the green sleeve.

    

I have found the salt and pepper shakers with two bottoms, one has a small notch at the 12 o’clock position (left), one does not (right).  The bottom of each salt and pepper shaker is marked:

ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL
ASHLAND, MONTANA
59003

Original packaging and shipping box for the salt and pepper shaker set.  Image source:  Copperton Lane Antiques and Collectables via Ruby Lane.

Napkin or letter holder

While the packaging describes this item as the “Northern Cheyenne Letter Holder,” it also suggests home or office use.  The holder is 5” long, 4-1/2” tall, and 2” wide.

In many examples, the yellow panels behind the designs are not present.

I have found the letter holder with two bases.  One has four cylindrical pegs (top), one does not (bottom).  Imprint on the bottom of the Northern Cheyenne Letter Holder, marked:

ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL
ASHLAND, MONTANA 59003

Northern Cheyenne Letter Holder with a yellow instead of the more common orange base.

    

Packaging for the “Northern Cheyenne Letter Holder”.  It reads:

NORTHERN CHEYENNE LETTER HOLDER

This attractive gift from the Northern Cheyenne may be used in your home or office.  In your home, use as a napkin holder, or if you prefer to use it on your desk, it can store important stamps or correspondence.

Easy to assemble.  Face the two separate sides into the slats on base with the ornamental figures facing outwards.

Sugar Bowl

These small bowls match the other items in the set, but are encountered much less frequently.  The sugar bowls are 1-7/8” tall by 2-7/8” diameter.

The bottom of each salt and pepper shaker is marked in small lettering:

ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL
ASHLAND, MONTANA
59003

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